Indiana Senate Committee To Vote On Increasing Marijuana Penalties

While the rest of the country moves towards softening its pot laws, Indiana may be marching in the opposite direction. The Hoosier State’s penalties for marijuana could get tougher after Gov. Mike Pence said he wanted stricter laws for low-level drug offenders.

The proposed increased penalties could come as part of a proposed overhaul of Indiana’s criminal sentencing laws, reports The Associated Press.

A state Senate committee is expected to vote Thursday on increasing the penalties for marijuana crimes at both the felony and misdemeanor levels.

One proposed change expected to be voted on Thursday would make possession of between about one-third of an ounce and 10 pounds of marijuana a felony rather than a misdemeanor, reports the Chesterton Tribune.

Sen. Brent Steele — who has in the past backed a plan to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis, making possession an infraction rather than a misdemeanor — said he was “comfortable” with the proposed change prompted by Gov. Pence’s stance.

The increased pot penalties are apparently part of a broader plan to direct more people convicted of low-level felonies to work release and other local programs, rather than sending them to prison. (It sounds suspiciously like a cash grab.)

The plan, however, would require those convicted of the most serious crimes to spend longer sentences in prison.

Pence said last week that he believed the bill should “send a message” that the state is “tough on drug dealers.”

The Indiana House already approved the bill by a wide margin in February, with support from many of the chamber’s most conservative and most liberal members.

The overhaul aims to put those convicted of nonviolent crimes into treatment and probation programs in their home counties rather than sending them to the state prison system for short stays, according to bill sponsor Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon).

Another provision of the new proposal would require than felons serve at least 75 percent of their sentences, up from the 50 percent or less than inmates might now serve if they earn good time and education credits while in prison.

The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and other law enforcement types are, surprise surprise, supporting the bill.

But Larry Landis, executive director of the Indiana Public Defender Council, said he was worried that the overhaul will leave the Indiana Department of Correction with too many long-term inmates and not reduce prison costs. Landis said he was concerned that Gov. Pence wasn’t aware of the value of not exposing low-level offenders to high-risk criminals behind bars.

“Lowering penalties and lower crime are not mutually exclusive,” Landis said. “You can do both at the same time if you target the right population.”

52 Comments

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ughmo
on May 27, 2013 at 5:11 pm

While we’re surrounded by states going legal, Indiana’s elected instead go against the wishes of a majority Ind’s citizens. Makes you wonder who they’re working for, their constituents or themselves and
the private prison industry.

Unfortunately, many of the people that the State of Indiana would love to have in their for-profit-jails won’t ever get in there. Why? Because many have turned to heroin as a rather inexpensive alternative and have died or will be dead. Why? Because law enforcement has been so good at doing their job…. getting marijuana off the streets. In SE Indiana, we are currently experiencing an epidemic of heroin abuse, overdoses and deaths, it’s all that’s talked about around here. Legalizing marijuana would just about guarantee and end to the heroin problem. Before anybody tries to say it’s just trading one drug for another….. remember….. one cannot overdose on marijuana. Indiana needs to get with it, do like other states do and decriminalize marijuana, legalize it, tax it, get the counties back in the red. Think of all the jail space that will become available for real criminals that routinely get a slap on the wrist.

Unfortunately, many of the people that the State of Indiana would love to have in their for-profit-jails won’t ever get in there. Why? Because many have turned to heroin as a rather inexpensive alternative and have died or will be dead. Why? Because law enforcement has been so good at doing their job…. getting marijuana off the streets. In SE Indiana, we are currently experiencing an epidemic of heroin abuse, overdoses and deaths, it’s all that’s talked about around here. Legalizing marijuana would just about guarantee and end to the heroin problem. Before anybody tries to say it’s just trading one drug for another….. remember….. one cannot overdose on marijuana. Indiana needs to get with it, do like other states do and decriminalize marijuana, legalize it, tax it, get the counties back in the red. Think of all the jail space that will become available for real criminals that routinely get a slap on the wrist.

John Barrett Thill
on April 21, 2013 at 5:29 pm

I’m a hoosier and he just lost my vote and my attention to his ramblings.

Jetdoc
on April 3, 2013 at 11:56 am

As a PROUD HOOSIER… who has since left the state. But I STILL stay involved with what’s happening in my Home State. This is a TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE and Hoosiers should NEVER let this pass!!! Hoosiers need to STAND UP and make your voices heard. Don’t let them get away with this. If you sit idly by and NOT DO SHIT to stop it, you DESERVE what you get

Bruce Li
on March 31, 2013 at 7:46 am

Actually I had a Friend do 18 months in a State Penitentiary for Kief on a mirror. Indiana is #1 In Meth Production, But a Seed In Indiana Guarantees you 6 month s in county, their Penalties are often given out 3X Max What their Law States. its Funny As Poor as the State is you would think they would Like to keep their Kids out of Prisons. But the Fact is In Indiana Until you are 18 and over The Police Want you in the Loop. I worked as a Repair Tech in a Internet Cafe the Police Were Constantly trying to shut down……Why? Because it Provided a Place Where the Kids could be kids. They Accused us of Being Meth Dealers because we would do Lock in Weekends and Game From Closing Friday to Sunday night. Oh and The Cafe was Free of Charge. That Made them More Angry, The Kids Would Gather out Front of the Store and hang out, The Police Upped their presence and would cite them, or just plain Harass them. The Funny part is The Biggest Meth Dealer in Town Was 1/2 a block away in full swing with the full protection of the County Sheriff, Why ? Because the Cook was the Sheriff’s Nephew.

Hey Mike Pence..go fuck yourself with a cactus..Im a 7 year veteran of the ARMY..I suffer from ptsd and multiple other conditions..I use marijuana both medically and recreationaly and your views are just outrageous..Marijuana is not the problem..Stupid is the problem and making more marijuana laws is not gonna fix stupid…YOU CANT FIX STUPID !

The Elephant's Child
on March 28, 2013 at 1:54 pm

I’m happy to have my posts at American Elephant linked elsewhere, but don’t be taking my post and changing what it says. If you wanted a picture of Gov. Pence, they’re available on Google. My post was about Gov. Pence’s efforts to promote jobs and growth in Indiana. Pot is not mentioned. I marked your response on my blog as spam.

Lantz Dennison
on March 28, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Lol, so they are going to exploit the states around them that legalize or decriminalize marijuana. That is funny. there is going to be soooooo much of the stuff around that they are not going to have the man power to police it all.

Then again if you have been to some of the small places I have been to and seen the criminal element maybe they are hopeing that by going stricter while the rest of the country is getting more relaxed about it will encourage the “users” to leave there state and thereby cleaning up a lot of real estate …….

Mike Pence those so called “potheads” is what makes up MOST of the state!! if you was even a good governor you would let the People of Indiana speak! Not just what you think is the greater good of Indiana!! Marijuana need to be legalized for Medical use!! its already been proven to help! but i see that YOUR the problem! not the so called “potheads”!! you pass this and i see people leaving indiana to go to states that are opened minded about it! Mike Pence your just running this state into the ground! if you want to be the problem, you will never have a spot as governor anymore! well you might if the people leave! and you will only have maybe 45% of the population left here! dont be the first governor to run its people out of the state! be smart about your power! don’t abuse it!!!

Sounds to me just like another kick-back from pharmaceutical companies??
Anyone-else agree??

Guest
on March 28, 2013 at 11:45 am

Mike Pence those so called “potheads” is what makes up MOST of the state!! if you was even a good governor you would let the People of Indiana speak! Not just what you think is the greater good of Indiana!! Marijuana need to be legalized for Medical use!! its already been proven to help! but i see that YOUR the problem! not the so called “potheads”!! you pass this and i see people leaving indiana to go to states that are opened minded about it! Mike Pence your just running this state into the ground! if you want to be the problem, you will never have a spot as governor anymore! well you might if the people leave! and you will only have maybe 45% of the population left here! dont be the first governor to run its people out of the state! be smart about your power! don’t abuse it!!!

Swif
on March 28, 2013 at 11:39 am

So when he does finally come around to legalizing it, he will be that Drug Dealer…

Daniel Judson
on March 28, 2013 at 11:29 am

This is ridiculousness!!! obviously a state fundraiser!!!! Making is so that if you have 10 grams of marijuana, YOU ARE A FELON????? That’s $100 of weed! I live in Colorado and am a proud supporter of amendment 64, and I can testify first hand that since weed has been legalized here, things are better. I got pulled over the other day, and the officer had me open my glove box, which had about 2 ounces of weed in it. The officer asked me to see it, took a big wiff and said “nice!” then gave me the bag back and let me off with a warning! If I was in Indianna, I’d be spending the rest of my life in prison. Note to self and America, NEVER spend a dime in indianna, I WILL NOT let ANY of my tax dollars EVER go to supporting a state with leaders this oblivious to the REAL affects of marijuana. The real effects? a bag of cheetoes and a marathon of family guy rather than a bar fight or a DUI.

MisterMeo
on March 28, 2013 at 11:28 am

That is horseshit. First Indiana privatizes the prison system, now they do this to throw more people in prison. The people see right through you douchebag. Who wants to bet that the owners of these prisons paid for his campaign… I guess hoosiers should do more homework on the fuckin representatives next time instead of taking mainstream media’s word for it. Man, I’m glad I moved from that wretched state!

Steve Canon
on March 28, 2013 at 11:16 am

Read it again. Both liberals and conservatives in the house passed this garbage. Get it through your head that its not dems vs repubs. Its the state vs the people. Wake up.

Steve Canon
on March 28, 2013 at 11:14 am

And I thought that the south was backward when it came to marijuana. Welcome to the statist state of Indiana.

levi stonebarger
on March 28, 2013 at 11:12 am

the state anit hard on drug dealers look at Anderson IN! he needs to pull his head out of his ass ….i bet if he dose pass that he wont be in office that much longer better belive that

sweetnsassy
on March 28, 2013 at 11:06 am

So he let’s murders and baby rapists out to kill and rape again but wants to stick it to nonviolent offenders! Make no sense to me, maybe because it’s really about making cents?!

Wouldn’t it be ironic if Gov. Mike Pence developed a malignant tumor that could be reduced destroyed with cannibinoids ? Especially ironic if he got arrested in possession of medical marijuana due to his own laws – or – if he lost his battle with the cancer due to an aversion to marijuana.

Karma doesn’t always come to everyone but the universe does have a funny way of getting even for moments of grand stupidity.

10thman
on March 28, 2013 at 10:46 am

Well I have a message for Mike Pence:

“…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of [the people’s] unalienable rights to [Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish [that government] and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to [the people] shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…”
— American Declaration of Independence

so instead of making it partially legal and taxing it to MAKE money, they want to give harsher penalties so the state taxpayers have to pay even more for a longer time to house these so called criminals…… yup that makes alot of sense to me, NOT!

Shane Jackson
on March 28, 2013 at 10:26 am

Idaho, Indiana, Idiocy… alliterative truth

John
on March 28, 2013 at 10:24 am

They are out of touch, and don’t have a clue. Unless they own stock in the pay for profit jails.

They will end up like California, with a prison population lager than there welfare population, of witch will end up as a another broke dick state, looking for cash flow. this get tough of on drugs is waste of there tax money. Just the way the GOP likes it.

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